Iran foreign minister to address UN Human Rights Council

TDT | Manama

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Iran's foreign minister will address the UN Human Rights Council on Friday on the sidelines of talks with European counterparts aiming for a diplomatic solution to the Iran-Israel war.

Abbas Araghchi "will intervene in person... at the beginning of the council's afternoon meeting" at 1300 GMT, after which the council will resume its normal programme, Pascal Sim, spokesman for the UN's top rights body, told a press briefing.

UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci added that Daniel Meron, Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, would be outside the council chamber at 1230 GMT to deliver a "press statement on Iran".

Araghchi is meeting his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran's nuclear programme.

Israel, claiming Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched air strikes against its arch-enemy a week ago, triggering deadly exchanges.

Israel no longer participates in the Human Rights Council, boycotting its meetings over "anti-Semitism".

Israel and its allies have long accused the council of bias, pointing to the fact that it is the only country to have a dedicated agenda item, meaning it is systematically discussed at every regular council session.